Southeast Asia – Page 109 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Global Handwashing Day celebrated in Las Piñas City

October 27, 2023October 24, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, the City Government commemorated Global Handwashing Day with special activities at an elementary school in Barangay Talon Uno, according to the LGU’s social media post of October 23, 2023. Present during the event were Vice Mayor April Aguilar and Maynilad officials.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the City Government’s social media post. Some parts in boldface…

On Friday, October 20th, Las Piñas City commemorated Global Handwashing Day with a series of activities at the Talon Elementary School in Barangay Talon Uno. The event, which was conducted in partnership with Maynilad, aimed at instilling the importance of hand hygiene among the young minds. Graced by the presence of City Vice Mayor April Aguilar, the celebration demonstrated a united front against health adversities, emphasizing the simple act of handwashing as a frontline defense against illnesses.

At the event, Vice Mayor Aguilar highlighted the significance of regular handwashing, especially amidst the ongoing global health crisis. She commended the collaboration between the city and Maynilad in orchestrating such a crucial awareness campaign, showcasing the synergy between public and private sectors in promoting community health.

The successful celebration of Global Handwashing Day in Las Piñas underlines the city’s proactive approach in health education, setting a robust foundation for a healthier and more informed community.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Do you think that a lot of people often forget to wash their hands? Do you find the local Global Handwashing Day event helpful when it comes to emphasizing a culture of health consciousness?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

Note: Photo displayed is from the Las Piñas City PIO.

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PNP and COMELEC formally sign data sharing agreement related to BSKE

October 26, 2023October 24, 2023carlocarrasco

With the anticipated Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) all set for October 30, 2023 (a declared non-working day), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) recently signed a formal agreement on data sharing related to the said elections, according to a news article published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine National Police (PNP) entered into a data sharing agreement (DSA) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to ensure the integrity and transparency of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Oct. 30.

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., director for operations Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco and Comelec officials led by Chairperson George Garcia, Commissioner Nelson Celis and Executive Director Teopisto Elnas Jr. graced the signing rites at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Monday, the PNP said in a news release Tuesday.

The pact grants Comelec access to the PNP’s Election Monitoring Systems and subsystems and outlines specific areas of collaboration aimed at bolstering the electoral process, pursuant to Republic Act 10173 or the Data Privacy Act.

Key components include access to the PNP Personnel Deployment, Surrendered Firearms, Voting Center Assistance, Election Status, Candidates, Party-lists, Voting Center, Treasurer’s Office, Unlawful Election Materials, Gun Ban Details, Violations thereof, and other critical data related to the elections.

The agreement also allows access to various subsystems within the PNP Election Monitoring System including geo-tagging for vote-buying, a separate subsystem for vote-buying, and another for Task Force Kontra Fake News, following the Comelec’s specifications.

“We will make a difference in ensuring that the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections of 2023 serve as a shining example of democracy in action,” Acorda said.

He also urged the public to trust the electoral process, assuring them that all measures are being taken to guarantee a smooth, secure, and credible BSKE 2023.

“Suffrage is more than just voting; it represents the heart of democracy. It gives individuals the power to shape their nation and participate in its governance. The BSKE is an integral part of our electoral system, providing a platform for citizens to exercise this valued right,” Acorda said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? Do you think the data sharing agreement between the COMELEC and the PNP will help preserve the integrity of the BSKE?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Filinvest and Hitachi to establish state-of-the-art water recycling facility in Alabang

October 25, 2023October 22, 2023carlocarrasco

There is no doubt that water is essential for families, businesses and all other sectors of local society. That being said, Filinvest’s corporate entities has partnered with Hitachi, Ltd., to construct a state-of-the-art water recycling facility and upgraded sewage treatment plant (STP) in the Alabang business district in Muntinlupa City with a completion target set for March 2026, according to an official press release published through Hitachi online.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Hitachi press release. Some parts in boldface…

Seated from L-R, FDCWUI President & CEO **Johnny Roxas**, FDC Vice Chair Josephine Gotianun Yap, FAI President & COO Catherine Ilagan, Hitachi Ltd. GM of Envi. Sol. Div. **Okito Kakudo**, and Hitachi Asia Ltd. COO **Tang Chay Wee**. Standing from L-R, PMI’s Chief Investment Officer **Jan Michael Lim** and President **Alfredo Comendador Jr.**, ASCOF’s Design Manager **Allan Villanueva** and Project Manager **Ricky De Castro**, FLOW’s BD and Marketing AVP **Sundy Bergado** and CTO **Tatsuya Sasuga**, Hitachi Asia Ltd. Philippine Branch GM **Hiroshi Katagiri** and FLOW’s Engineering and Projects AVP **Alfred Ables**. (source – Hitachi.Asia)

Filinvest City, together with its partners FDC Water Utilities Inc. and Hitachi Ltd, will soon begin the construction of a state-of-the-art water recycling facility and upgraded sewage treatment plant (STP) that promises to innovate urban water management in the Alabang business district. This reflects the Filinvest Group’s commitment to sustainability through the implementation of efficient and technology-driven water operations across all of its developments.

“We aim to make Filinvest City the first sustainable and smart central business district in the Philippines. By implementing advanced technologies and solutions to treat wastewater, we are moving towards a future where local ecosystems are protected and our ecological footprint is reduced,” said Filinvest Development Corporation (FDC) Vice Chairperson Josephine Gotianun Yap during the construction commencement ceremony held recently.

FDC Water Utilities, Inc. (FDCWUI), a subsidiary of FDC Utilities, Inc., will lead in developing the project that is set to begin in December this year and is expected to be completed by March 2026.

“This project will revolutionize how Filinvest approaches wastewater treatment and water production. Its seamless integration of sewage treatment and production of high-quality recycled water technologies sets a new standard for environmentally responsible development. Only two other projects in the country implement similar processes, but none on this scale,” said Juan Eugenio L. Roxas, President and CEO of FDWUI.

Hitachi Ltd is the project’s technical partner, one of Japan’s largest and most influential corporations spanning sectors such as IT, telecom, power, infrastructure, and industry. Together with Filinvest, Hitachi aims to focus on social and sustainable innovations through data and technology.

“Our advanced water treatment technology, combined with digital solutions, is designed not only to improve water quality but also to enable remote plant monitoring and streamline operations. We are honored to work with Filinvest as we address the pressing issue of water shortages in the Philippines and promote water sustainability together,” said Okito Kakudo, General Manager of Hitachi Ltd.’s Environmental Solution Division, Water and Environment Business Unit.

The upgraded STP will be capable of processing up to 15 million liters of wastewater daily. It will utilize Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) technology for biological nutrient removal, which complies with the stricter regulations on nitrogen and phosphorus removal in the country that cannot be effectively removed by the conventional activated sludge method.

Meanwhile, the new water reuse facility is designed to efficiently produce high-quality recycled water for household use. Capable of producing a capacity of at least 10.5 million liters per day, the facility utilizes a combination of Brackish Water Reverse Osmosis (BWRO) and Advanced Oxidation for its water production.

The initiative will reduce the environmental footprint of Filinvest City and effectively mitigate pollution in waterways. Moreover, the water produced by the reuse facility will be available to local businesses and residents, conserving valuable freshwater sources and ensuring a more reliable supply of clean water.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, how do you think this upcoming water recycling facility of Filinvest and Hitachi will help you? Do you think there is a need for more private sector players to be more involved in the water supply and water recycling within Muntinlupa City? Do you own a home or a business property in Filinvest City in Alabang?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Fake military intelligence officer arrested in Parañaque City

October 23, 2023October 20, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Parañaque, a man entered a police sub-station in Barangay Tambo pretending to be a member of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) and the Military Intelligence Group (MIG) and eventually got arrested when the ID cards he submitted were found to be fake, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. This is a case of the usurpation of authority (for past cases, click here and here).

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

A man posing as a member of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) and the Military Intelligence Group (MIG) was arrested in Parañaque City on Oct. 18.

According to the report of the Parañaque City Police submitted to the Southern Police District (SPD), the suspect appeared at Tambo police substation together with three Chinese nationals at around 8:40 p.m. to report an incident.

The suspect identified himself as member of ISAFP and MIG when questioned by police.

He presented an AFP ID and MIG ID, but the police discovered the IDs were fake.

The police said the suspect confessed that he is not a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The suspect was immediately brought to the Station Investigation and Detective Management Section (SIDMS) custodial facility where he was detained.

The police filed a case of violation of usurpation of authority against the suspect.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could be a lot of individuals in the city committing usurpation of authority who have not been caught?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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BSKE-related voting simulation done in Las Piñas City

October 20, 2023October 18, 2023carlocarrasco

With the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) all set to happen less than two weeks from now, the Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) top officials recently visited Las Piñas City and conducted a related voting simulation at Robinsons Place, the City Government confirmed through its Facebook page.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the City Government’s October 18, 2023 FB post. Some parts in boldface…

In anticipation of the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections set for October 30, the Commission on ElectionS (COMELEC) hosted a voting simulation exercise at the Robinson’s Mall in Las Piñas on Tuesday, October 17th. The event aimed to test the preparedness of both the electoral body and the voting public, as well as to identify any potential issues that could arise on election day.

Gracing the occasion were notable COMELEC officials including Chairman Atty. George Garcia, and Commissioners Nelson Celis and Atty. Rey Bulay. The simulation was a crucial step in ensuring that the electoral procedures are followed, and to make any necessary adjustments before the actual elections. It also served as an educational endeavor to familiarize voters with the voting process, in an effort to make the real event run as smoothly as possible.

The undertaking is part of COMELEC’s broader strategy to ensure free, fair, and efficient elections at the barangay and SK levels. It adds to a series of measures the commission has been implementing, which include voter education campaigns and the vetting of candidates.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, do you view the voting simulation helpful when it comes to educating local voters in preparation for the October 30 BSKE? Are there many people in your local community who intend to vote in the BSKE?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Muntinlupa City Mayor visits local market and personally inspects prices of goods

October 12, 2023October 9, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive city of Muntinlupa, Mayor Ruffy Biazon personally visited a market in Barangay Poblacion and examined the prices of goods, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon visited a market on Oct. 9 to check the prices of basic commodities.

Biazon went to a market in Barangay Poblacion to know the prevailing prices of rice, meat, vegetables and other commodities.

He said a common feedback of stall owners inside the market is the competition from sellers outside the market, which has a negative impact on their income.

“Ang common feedback ng mga nagtitinda ay ang kompetensya mula sa mga nagtitinda sa labas—yung mga nasa bangketa at nasa iba pang private properties. Hindi na kasi sila napapasok ng mga mamimili; may advantage kasi yung mga nasa labas (The common feedback from sellers is the competition from sellers outside–those who are located on the sidewalk and private properties. Consumers no longer go inside (the market); those who sell outside have the advantage),” said Biazon during his Facebook live video of his market visit.

The mayor also noted that there are vacant stalls in the market, which could be due to sellers losing out to competitors outside the establishment. Biazon said he will look into the matter of illegal vendors around the market.

“Nagkakaroon kasi ng negative impact sa market mismo. Titingnan natin ang mga umiiral na batas natin kung may magagamit tayo para tugisin ang mga illegal vendor at wala sa tamang pwesto (It has a negative impact to the market directly. We will study the existing laws if we have something to use to go after illegal vendors and those who are not in the proper places),” said Biazon.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, were you able to visit any local market lately? If you did, were the prices of good higher than they were six months ago? Do you wish that more your city government officials would personally visit other local markets? Do you believe that local market vendors are being harmed by vendors outside of the markets?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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DTI says cash aid and price monitoring related to rice to continue

October 9, 2023October 5, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., lifted the mandatory price caps on rice (regular milled and well-milled specifically). Even though this has happened, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) confirmed that cash aid and price monitoring will still continue, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

Financial aid distribution to rice retailers and monitoring of rice prices will continue despite President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s announcement Wednesday about the lifting of the price cap on regular and well-milled rice.

Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual, in a press conference in Makati City Wednesday, said the government will still release the financial aid to small retailers selling the said rice varieties who have not received the PHP15,000 cash assistance.

As of Sept. 29, the government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has released a total of PHP217.2 million under the Sustainable Livelihood Program-Economic Relief Subsidy to 14,480 out of the 19,685 targeted rice retailers nationwide.

DTI has helped the DSWD in identifying, profiling, and validating the beneficiaries of the cash aid.

Since Executive Order 39, which set price ceilings of PHP41 per kilo for regular-milled rice and PHP45 a kilo for well-milled rice, took effect last September 5, the Trade Chief said the compliance rate of retailers nationwide was high at 81.46 percent as of Sept.28.

“There’s (a) good number of sellers selling within those price(s),” Pascual said, adding that prices of these rice varieties in Regions 2 (Cagayan Valley) and 3 (Central Luzon), the country’s rice granary, are even lower at around PHP38 per kilo.

He noted that since rice is being produced in these regions, logistics costs are much lower.

Fair Trade and Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) Director Fhillip Sawali, during the same briefing, also assured that DTI will continue monitoring rice prices, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture, despite the lifting of the price cap on rice.

“We will see the full force of the market because the PHP41 and PHP45 (price caps) are no longer mandated,” he said.

“There is a continuing role for the DTI to play post-EO 39” since there is a need to “see if they (rice traders) continue to follow or nearing their prices at PHP41 and PHP45,” he added.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think there will be drastic changes happening with the prices of rice grain sold in markets here in the Philippines? How much did you spend on rice grain in recent times?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Parañaque City finishes as the 24th Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City, dead last on Government Efficiency and Innovation (CMCI 2023)

October 5, 2023October 5, 2023carlocarrasco

The official results of the Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index (CMCI) for 2023 have been published and it shows Parañaque City did worse this time finishing as 24^th Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City (HUC) of the nation and this includes finishing dead last (33^rd place) among the HUCs in the categories of Innovation and Government Efficiency.

To put things in perspective, the HUCs (which covers very dense cities in the National Capital Region and the provinces) are determined by means of Competitiveness (the main category) as well as other related categories such as Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, Resiliency and Innovation.

The 2023 CMCI showed that Parañaque City scored 36.301 for 24^th place in Competitiveness (versus 19^th place in 2022). The city’s highlight is finishing 11^th place on Economic Dynamism with a score of 5.3264, 16^th place on Infrastructure with 5.2753, and 26^th place on Resiliency with 11.4956.

What is most notable is that Parañaque finished dead last among the 33 HUCs on the categories of Government Efficiency and Innovation with scores of 8.2859 and 5.9169 respectively.

How and why did Parañaque end up as the worst HUC on Government Efficiency and Innovation needs to be explained in detail by the local officials. I know for a fact that Parañaque has been a hot spot for crime but that alone does not explain the CMCI’s 2023 findings. I can only wonder how efficient the City Government of Parañaque has been over the past 24 months as well since the day Mayor Eric Olivarez took office.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque and had been doing transactions with the City Government, did you notice anything wrong? Has the City Government been performing sluggishly in recent times? Did transparency at the City Government weaken? What do you think should the City Government do with regards to innovation in relation to public service?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Philippine economic growth for 2023 could hit 5.5%

October 4, 2023October 2, 2023carlocarrasco

In the views of the First Metro Investment Corporation (FMIC) and the University of the Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), the economy of the Philippines could grow by 5.5% for the year, according to a news article by Philippine News Agency (PNA). 2023 has been an economically challenging year and many anticipated that the national economy won’t grow as high as it did in 2022.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine economy is projected to grow by 5.5 percent this year, driven by the growth in government spending, a report released by the First Metro Investment Corporation (FMIC) and the University of the Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) said.

In the September issue of The Market Call released on Wednesday, FMIC and UA&P said Philippine economic growth in the third quarter of the year will likely reach 5.0 to 5.2 percent.

For the fourth quarter of this year, FMIC and UA&P project the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 6 percent.

This would bring the full year GDP growth to 5.5 percent which is slightly below the government’s 6 to 7 percent target for this year.

“Despite the weak July-August, we think the NG will accelerate further its spending on infrastructure and transportation for the rest of the year, and employment will have strong rebound in September,” the report said.

The Philippine economy grew by 4.3 percent in the second quarter of this year. During the quarter, government expenditure contracted by 7.1 percent.

FMIC and UA&P however expect government spending to accelerate in the second half of the year.

“National Government took up the slack in July spending as it ramped up expenditures by 16.2 percent year-on-year in July through higher social protection and infrastructure outlays,” the report said.

Aside from government spending, FMIC and UA&P also expect manufacturing and construction to drive growth.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the national economy can do better than the 5.5% growth foreseen by the First Metro Investment Corporation (FMIC) and the University of the Asia and the Pacific (UA&P)?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Police arrest wanted man for lasciviousness in Las Piñas City

September 26, 2023September 21, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in Las Piñas City, a man who has been wanted for lasciviousness was arrested by local police officers as a result of manhunt operation, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

A man tagged as the tenth most wanted person for acts of lasciviousness under the district level in Las Piñas City was arrested in a manhunt operation on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 20.

According to the Las Piñas City police, the suspect identified as Jonathan Hacutan was arrested along Riverside Basa Subdivision, Barangay Zapote, Las Piñas City at around 3:00 p.m.

Hacutan was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Mildred Jacinto Marquez, of Las Piñas City Family court Branch 2 on Sept. 11.

Marquez recommended bail of P400,000 for two counts of acts of lasciviousness.

Joint forces of the Warrant and Subpoena Section (WSS) and Intelligence Section (IS) conducted the operation against wanted persons.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are you struggling to buy rice grain for your family now? Have there been acts of lasciviousness in your local community over the past twelve months? Are you concerned that there could be more sexual predators within the city?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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